Cycle News Staff | September 5, 2023
The 2023 Monster Energy Mammoth Motocross kicked off this weekend with vet riders taking to the track on opening weekend. The picturesque mountain venue, located just under 8000 feet above sea level, is only open two weeks during the year for this unique event. Former pros Cole Martinez, Jeremy McGrath and Kurt Nicoll highlighted the results sheets and claimed the coveted bear trophies.
Still “The King,” Jeremy McGrath took home his share of bears from the Mammoth Motocross Vet weekend. Photo: Moto Playground
Martinez, a former Supercross racer turned off-road extraordinaire, swept the 30 Pro division on both days of racing. The SLR Honda rider took all four moto wins and set the best lap times in the process. His closest competitors on day one were Sean Collier and Sean Lipanovich, who finished second and third, respectively. Lipanovich landed on the podium again with a second on Sunday while Arik Swan took third.
Jeremy McGrath is a staple at Mammoth MX and “The King” showed up this year for the 40A and Smoke N’ Fire Vintage classes. No one could challenge MC in the 40+ division as he claimed all four victories over the two days of racing. He grabbed the final podium in the vintage class behind Matt Barber and Ciaran Narran.
Cole Martinez swept the 30 Pro motos.
Kurt Nicoll and Alan Julien split wins in the 50A with Peter Murray taking all four wins in 60+ Open.
The event continues with mini bike racing during the week followed by big bike amateurs over the Labor Day weekend.
Mini bikes raced during the week with Vincent Wey taking the Supermini win. Photo: Moto Playground
The annual Mammoth Motocross wrapped up this over Labor Day with “Big Bike Weekend” finishing the elevated racing action. Mini Week took place throughout the week, but the full-sized machines closed out the exciting 10 day event. Big winners included Lux Turner in 250 Pro, Robbie Wageman in 450 Pro, and Justin Hoeft in Open Pro Sport.
Lux Turner won the 250 Pro division. Photo: Moto Playground
Lux Turner kicked things off in the Pro classes with the opening moto win in 250 Pro. The GasGas mounted rider crossed the opening lap in fourth but still managed to make his way to the lead with two laps to go. Luke Kalaitzian led eight of the 10 lap moto until Turner passed with two to go. Kalaitzian finished second with Noah Viney riding a strong third.
Robbie Wageman won the 450 Pro main event. Photo: Moto Playground
Parker Ross rebounded in the second moto of 250 Pro. He started fourth but found himself battling Turner for the lead at the half-way point. The two swapped positions with Ross taking the upper hand. Turner’s 1-2 still earned him the overall over Ross’s 7-1 and Slade Varola’s 4-4.
Justin Hoeft grabbed the Open Pro Sport victory. Photo: Moto Playground
The 450 Pro race featured a Supercross-format with heat races, semis, and a final main event. Yamaha-mounted Robbie Wageman started up front in the main and took over the lead by lap two. He never looked back and won the race by 13 seconds over second-place Trevor Stewart. Stewart and Parker Ross battled for the final spot on the box with the two going two-three, respectively.
Hoeft.
The Open Pro Sport race also ran in the Supercross-style format with one main event to decide the title. Supercross racer turned off-roader, Justin Hoeft grabbed the lead early on and held it over Justin Hill for nearly the whole race. The two Justins ran just over a second apart and gapped third place as they duked it out for the win. Hoeft ultimately took the win over Hill with Trevor Stewart rounding out the podium.
CN
250 Pro
1. Lux Turner (GG) 1-2
2. Parker Ross (Hon) 7-1
3. Slade Varola (Kaw) 4-4
450 Pro
1. Robbie Wageman (Yam)
2. Trevor Stewart (Yam)
3. Parker Ross (Hon)
Open Pro Sport
1. Justin Hoeft (Yam)
2. Justin Hill (Kaw)
3. Trevor Stewart (Yam)
